Kohima, September 2 (MExN): Reverend Fr. James Thoppil will be ordained as the Bishop of the Diocese of Kohima on September 8.
Rev. Fr. James Thoppil was born in Neezhoor, Kerala, on March 2, 1959. His father, deceased in 1962, was Charalel Uthuppan. His mother Anna Karimkunnam is now 89 years old and is in good health.
The Bishop-elect began his priestly formation in 1974 at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dibrugarh. He did his Philosophical Studies at Christ King College, Shillong while at the same time doing B.A at St. Antony’s College, Shillong.
As a priest Fr. James was first appointed as the Dean of Studies in Good Shepherd Seminary, Dimapur in1986. He then became the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, Dimapur in 1990 and served there until 1994 when he was sent to Rome to pursue his higher studies in Theology by the first Bishop of the Diocese Right Rev. Abraham Alangimattathil sdb.
In recognition of his academic excellence the Bishop-elect was awarded Costa Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Theological Studies for the year 1985-86 and Philip Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Scriptural Studies for the year 1985-86.
Fr. James’ publications include six books related to theology and education and numerous scholarly articles in theological journals.
Along with his mother, Anna Karimkunnam, Fr. James’ immediate family consists of four sisters and one brother, Philip, who died in 2008.
Rev. Fr. James Thoppil was born in Neezhoor, Kerala, on March 2, 1959. His father, deceased in 1962, was Charalel Uthuppan. His mother Anna Karimkunnam is now 89 years old and is in good health.
The Bishop-elect began his priestly formation in 1974 at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dibrugarh. He did his Philosophical Studies at Christ King College, Shillong while at the same time doing B.A at St. Antony’s College, Shillong.
As a priest Fr. James was first appointed as the Dean of Studies in Good Shepherd Seminary, Dimapur in1986. He then became the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, Dimapur in 1990 and served there until 1994 when he was sent to Rome to pursue his higher studies in Theology by the first Bishop of the Diocese Right Rev. Abraham Alangimattathil sdb.
In recognition of his academic excellence the Bishop-elect was awarded Costa Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Theological Studies for the year 1985-86 and Philip Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Scriptural Studies for the year 1985-86.
Fr. James’ publications include six books related to theology and education and numerous scholarly articles in theological journals.
Along with his mother, Anna Karimkunnam, Fr. James’ immediate family consists of four sisters and one brother, Philip, who died in 2008.
